Greek Traditions Community

Cultural differences to be aware of while traveling to Greece

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redsoxdw_

redsoxdw_

Active member
Travelling is always tricky when you're unaware of the small cultural differences of each new place that you're visiting. I think it's pretty important to take note so that you don't offend others and get yourself in a sticky situations. Here is my advice

1. Definitely don't open your hand and show your palm. Be extra careful when you're giving high-fives or trying to show "stop" with your hand. This is considered very disrespectful in Greece.
2. Be extremely polite and always greet others when you enter or exit a place, including stores and restaurants. Greeks think it's very rude when you don't say hello.
3. Always offer to pay for others when you are sharing a meal or a coffee. This is common courtesy in Greece.

If you can think of any more, please leave them in the thread!
 
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Tipping is usually around 5%.
 
When tipping I usually use cash, and I handle tips by rounding up. So if my bill was 47 Euro, I would give 50 and tell them to keep the change.

I never knew about showing your palm! Thanks for sharing that one, I'll be careful.
 
The most important meal of the day is lunch (eaten around 2), following that from 2:00-3:00 you need to be quiet. People take this period seriously and will not be happy if you're too noisy. I have heard stories of people having the cops called on them for not being quiet.
 
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ellinasgolfer0320 said:
The most important meal of the day is lunch (eaten around 2), following that from 2:00-3:00 you need to be quiet. People take this period seriously and will not be happy if you're too noisy. I have heard stories of people having the cops called on them for not being quiet.
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This is an excellent point! And very important for people to remind their children about. Thank you for sharing, most people tend to forget.
 
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Do younger generations still follow traditional Greek customs?

Lately I’ve been wondering how much traditional Greek culture is still being carried forward by younger generations, both in Greece and in the diaspora.

I’m not talking only about the big holidays or major family events, but the smaller everyday things too — name days, church traditions, hospitality, family meals, fasting periods, village festivals, coffee rituals, respect for elders, even certain sayings and customs. Do younger Greeks still actively participate in these traditions, or do they mostly happen because parents and grandparents keep them going?

I imagine the answer probably depends a lot on location, family, and lifestyle. Someone growing up in a village might have a different experience than someone in Athens or abroad. I’d love to hear from people of different ages, which traditions have stayed strong, which ones are fading, and are there any that younger generations are bringing back in new ways?

How did your family spend summers in Greece?

I’m curious how many of you spent summers in Greece growing up.

My experience was a little different. My parents both worked full time, so we never packed up and spent entire summers in Greece the way some Greek families did. But I had friends and cousins who seemed to disappear every June and come back just before school started, full of stories about village life, island beaches, family gatherings, and adventures with cousins.

I always found those stories fascinating and sometimes wished I had experienced that myself.

For those of you who did spend summers in Greece, what was it like? Did you stay in a village, a city, or on an island? What did your typical days look like? Are there any traditions, memories, or experiences that still stand out to you today? I'd love to hear your stories!

Information About Apokries?

I’ve been curious about how people experience Apokries and what it looks like in different parts of Greece. For some, it seems centered on big public celebrations and costumes, while for others it’s more about smaller gatherings, food, and local customs.

I’m especially interested in the traditions people grew up with. Was Apokries something your family actively celebrated, or did it feel more like a community event? Did you attend costume parties, parades, or specific local festivities? And how did days like Tsiknopempti fit into it for you?

I’d also love to hear whether your experience changed over time, for example, celebrating differently as a child versus as an adult, or noticing differences between village and city celebrations.

For those who no longer live in Greece, do you still mark Apokries in some way, or has it faded with distance?

I’m looking forward to hearing how this tradition shows up for others.

Greek Traditions from Childhood?

I’d love to hear everyone’s memories of Greek traditions from childhood, especially the small everyday things that may not even seem unusual until you look back on them later.

For me, some of the strongest memories are tied to food, church, family gatherings, name days, holiday preparations, and the feeling of constantly having people around. Even certain sounds and smells immediately bring everything back.

I’m also curious how traditions differed depending on region or family background. Did your family keep strong village customs? Were there things your grandparents insisted on doing a certain way? Any traditions connected to Easter, Christmas, weddings, coffee, hospitality, music, or food?

For me, we ate a family-oriented Sunday meal where everyone go together after church. That was a big part of things for me.

Does your family make fanouropita for Saint Phanourios Day?

I recently saw a news article about Saint Fanourios Day, and it showed people bringing fanouropita cakes to a church to be blessed. I knew about fanouropita and the tradition of making it when you’re hoping to find something that has been lost, but I didn’t realize how much of a church tradition it could be on the saint’s feast day itself.

Does your family make fanouropita for Saint Fanourios Day? If so, do you bring the cake to church to be blessed, or do you usually make it at home and share it with family and friends?

I’m also curious whether this is something that is still widely done in Greece or if it depends on the region, parish, or family. Are there any other traditions your family follows for Saint Fanourios Day?

I’d love to hear how people observe the day and whether fanouropita is part of your family’s tradition.
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